The Legislature, Day 15: Table Games -- UPDATED

Though this year's version of the racetrack table games bill is not yet ready for prime time, the surrounding buzz prompted a raft of stories today.

I focused on the behind-the-scenes involvement of Gov. Joe Manchin and his Lottery officials, who are pressing the bill's authors on such issues as a 24 percent state "tax" rate and funding for seniors (the story can also be found here and here).

The racetrack folks tell me that Team Manchin has been fairly insistent. Annual and one-time fees charged to the tracks, on top of the gross proceeds tax, are also matters of contention.

But as I also point out, all this talk of revenue is moot unless voters somehow approve these games. The Charleston Gazette starts off on this topic, underscoring the tracks' desire to have countywide elections.

The Register-Herald of Beckley also has a table games story, as does MetroNews. Hoppy Kercheval opines on the issue as well in his column today.

And Public Broadcasting continues its week-long focus on table games with the Rev. Dennis Sparks of the W. Va. Council of Churches as this evening's guest on The Legislature Today.

Sparks is among the leading foes of legalized gambling in the Mountain State. He told me yesterday that his coalition is gearing up for the looming fight.

UPDATE: The Charleston Daily Mail lends its editorial voice to the issue, opining in favor of table games today. They also offered an overview of the issue earlier.